Chipk
Elite Member
Ok posted last week about trying electrolysis for the first time. Found a 1700s axe head that was heavily rusted and after watching numerous YouTube videos dove into trying it myself.
Didn't go as expected. Saw little chemical reaction no matter how I wrapped copper and aluminum wire around my prize. I inserted a galvanized bolt through the handle hole along with an iron file and tie wrapped everything together. I used another axe head as the sacrificial anode. Even used TWO car chargers to try and boost up the charge. Daily replaced the water and washing soda. A small stream of bubbles came forth. NOT the reactions I saw on the videos.
Eventually I got the axe cleaned. Daily I'd take a wire brush /drill and work off as much rust as I could. Used a hammer to tap the rust blisters off. Finally after 10 days, I decided it was as clean as I could make it.
Frustrating.
Now here is my question. A couple of days ago I bought a roll of 10 gauge wire, some alligator clips and liquid electrical tape. I decided to make some clips so hopefully I might get a better connection. I connected everything and got....nothing. No bubbles. Nothing. I ended up reconnecting everything as I had it before and at least got some reaction.
Now I am hoping to build a tank that will allow me to clean other finds and the question arose. Is 10 gauge copper wire too big? I thought bigger wire would conduct electricity better but am I overdoing it? I am stumped.
Didn't go as expected. Saw little chemical reaction no matter how I wrapped copper and aluminum wire around my prize. I inserted a galvanized bolt through the handle hole along with an iron file and tie wrapped everything together. I used another axe head as the sacrificial anode. Even used TWO car chargers to try and boost up the charge. Daily replaced the water and washing soda. A small stream of bubbles came forth. NOT the reactions I saw on the videos.
Eventually I got the axe cleaned. Daily I'd take a wire brush /drill and work off as much rust as I could. Used a hammer to tap the rust blisters off. Finally after 10 days, I decided it was as clean as I could make it.
Frustrating.
Now here is my question. A couple of days ago I bought a roll of 10 gauge wire, some alligator clips and liquid electrical tape. I decided to make some clips so hopefully I might get a better connection. I connected everything and got....nothing. No bubbles. Nothing. I ended up reconnecting everything as I had it before and at least got some reaction.
Now I am hoping to build a tank that will allow me to clean other finds and the question arose. Is 10 gauge copper wire too big? I thought bigger wire would conduct electricity better but am I overdoing it? I am stumped.